Coffee please!!

Probably a good thing the blue skies are in the distance and not over the Ramrock Road. With 3 big climbs it would be tough going in the heat. As it is the conditions are almost pleasant.

Ian and Wendy about to crest the summit of the Ramrock Road

How could you pass on riding such a road

Which part is the butter and which the egg?

Nathan tends to his bike roadside

While Matt tends to his sleep deprivation roadside

Roadside coffee!

Double shot espresso?

1 flat white, 1 macchaito  and an americano please Matt

Aliesha demonstrates advanced brevet technique, catch some sleep between mouthfuls

Gotta love that vista though

Touching 40 kph headwind, ouch!

Finish-line fever coming through in the txts today.

Date: 21 January 2016 at 08:11
Subject: SMS with Brian Alder

I'll get it to Tony. Thanks for a great event.  Ram Rock Rd is the icing on the cake.

From: Brian Alder
Date: 21 January 2016 at 08:16
Subject: SMS with Brian Alder

Hate,  love.  Same emotion,  different attitude.

Date: 21 January 2016 at 08:28
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg

Max, Pascal and Scott arrived Mosgiel.

Date: 21 January 2016 at 09:32
Subject: SMS with Mark Wallace

Mark and fleur in ranfurly havin breakfast. Pretty keen to knock the rest off today/tonight

Date: 21 January 2016 at 09:41
Subject: SMS with Jon Jarratt

Hi Dave. End of the road for team tandem in Mosgiel. Thanks for such a great event and route. We'll be back next time though maybe on separate bikes !! Who knows?

Date: 21 January 2016 at 10:30
Subject: SMS with Dave Cooper

Finished in tekapo about 15 mins ago. DONE.

Date: 21 January 2016 at 11:10
Subject: SMS with Hamish Pedersen

Hamish P
Text in Ranfurly
Just charging on
See yiz soon

Late night and early start for most

Getting to the business end of the ride as people focus on getting back to Tekapo. Some late nights followed by early starts for some as they work to 'knock the bastard' off before the weekend.

Sense a bit of sleep deprivation is creeping up on some as they were not that sharp answering the question which day of the week is it and how long have you been riding. Still focused on the task ahead and not that great as conversationalists!

Just point in the direction of Tekapo and we will be fine, really

Karitane this morning, overcast but still and warm

Another finisher overnight. Apparently not a large welcoming party at 2 am in Tekapo, funny that.

Date: 21 January 2016 at 02:03
Subject: SMS with Phil Petersen

In Mosgiel and sifted a derro spot to sleep :)

Date: 21 January 2016 at 02:57
Subject: SMS with Rob Davidson

All done. Finished around 2am.. Felt like partying but Tekapo is really quiet then.. go figure😁 It was a tough few days out.. bikepacking was the winner on the day. Glad to have made my way around it. Thanks to the king and his minions for all the effort😃

Dunedin summer, and riders complete the course

As riders got closer to the coast the Dunedin the coastal fog crept in

Fog descends onto the hills above Karitane Beach

Nathan rides off into the coastal fog

Mark and Fleur smiling even though they have a very long night of riding ahead

Hamish stocking up on water at Bucklands Crossing, do you really know where your water comes from?

Evening txt check-ins marked by the first finishers of the Great Southern Brevet 2016!

Date: 20 January 2016 at 17:45
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg

Max, Pascal, Phil and Scott in Lawrence after a good ride with time for swims in the Clutha and icecreams at Roxburgh

Date: 20 January 2016 at 17:59
Subject: SMS with Rob Davidson

Kurow...seems like a repeat of the last time I came through here.. wind change and rain coming through.. suck!.. oh well.. mustn't grumble.. onward.. Rob. D

Date: 20 January 2016 at 18:30
Subject: SMS with Craig Shakespeare

Shakies in Mosgiel, woohoo!!!!

Date: 20 January 2016 at 18:30
Subject: SMS with Stephanie Smithson

@mosgiel

Date: 20 January 2016 at 20:10
Subject: SMS with Brian Alder

Finished.  Bloody fantastic.  Thanks Rob and Russ for an amazing experience.  Brian Alder

Date: 20 January 2016 at 20:11
Subject: SMS with Rob Brown

Just finished thanks for an awesome event 😃

Date: 20 January 2016 at 20:19
Subject: SMS with Russell Lawry

Russell and Cjell have made it to Mosgiel fish & chip shop. Sorted.
Nice day today, no nasty mountains. And sun too!
Thanks Dave :-)

Date: 20 January 2016 at 20:31
Subject: SMS with Gareth Rapley

In Kurow.  Tekapo tomorrow.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 21:59
Subject: SMS with Craig Shakespeare

Cool, found a spot for the nite just below swampy summit!! Thanks anyway!! See you tomorrow

Date: 20 January 2016 at 22:00
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall

At Mosgiel  some good climbs  today

And the GSB heats up

The GSB 2016 is starting to heat up! And not just the temperature, as riders find their second wind and a taste of the finish now they are heading north in the direction of Tekapo.

7 + 20 = 27, 7 degrees yesterday on the Old Man Range to 27 at the lake today

Approaching Lake Mahinerangi crossing

The beach looks tempting!

The windmills on the Lammerlaw weren't generating much electricity today

Looking fresh, I wonder why? Read their txt below

Aliesha trying to convince the horse to take her to Tekapo

Mosgiel restock, Wendy takes some fresh cream donuts for a ride!

And fresh milk, hope they get consumed quickly in this heat ;-)

Looks like some tactics are starting to creep in. Not sure about sleeping in a railway tunnel and the vagrancy in the park to get ahead.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 13:09
Subject: SMS with Rob Brown

Ok I'm in Kurow now


Date: 2016-01-20 13:20 GMT+13:00
Subject: SMS with Russell Shanks

Russell Kurow 😅

Date: 20 January 2016 at 13:20
Subject: SMS with Brian Alder

Last port of call in Kurow.  Tail Wind too!  Brian Alder


Date: 20 January 2016 at 15:27
Subject: SMS with Matthew Hughes

Matt, Nathan Hamish and Alesha just finished a 2 hour sleep in mosgeil park and off we go . Smashed!


Date: 20 January 2016 at 16:05
Subject: SMS with Hana Black

Duntroon Flying Pig cafe.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 16:31
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach

Ian and wendy are I  mosgiel.  We enjoyed lake mahinerangi.  The "undulating" route was more like never ending hills. The cafe at outram was superb

Date: 20 January 2016 at 16:37
Subject: SMS with Hana Black

Few of us doing the CORT shortcut. Will be in Tekapo tomorrow all going well.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 17:04
Subject: SMS with Andy Jones

Hi Dave. My eyes are munted so I'm out. Enjoyed the ride. Thanks for putting it all together.

Blue Skies!

Proof there is sun in Otago!

Time to re-apply the sunscreen!

Steph head down Lawrence in sight

Dan and Cjell enjoy the long ride sitting down for a change. Single speed not a bad option for the Gold Trail

Feed station Lawrence

Cjell contemplates swapping 2 wheels for 4

Midday txt check-ins:

Date: 20 January 2016 at 11:42
Subject: SMS with Mark Wallace

Mark in mosgiel with fleur. Getting a new jockey wheel sorted for a sickly bike

Date: 20 January 2016 at 11:57
Subject: SMS with Stephanie Smithson

Sweet jet boat ride and night in the hut at the jetty after a very tough day yesterday. Nice riding this morning on the gold trail :-) . Made it to Lawrance.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 12:12
Subject: SMS with Craig Shakespeare

Shakies just hit Lawrence!! Time for food.....

Date: 20 January 2016 at 12:41
Subject: SMS with Dave Cooper

Got to Ranfurly after a somewhat miserable time yesterday.

Relief!

Probably more for me than the riders as they are only halfway!!

Yes the last few days have sounded pretty tough but the weather has a profound effect on mood and motivation. The high passes are the core of the Great Southern Brevet, they are the events distinguishing feature. However they are also the greatest risk. Riding at almost 2000 metres in exposed alpine areas is very weather dependent.

January is usually the most settled for weather in Otago and hence the date for the brevet but that doesn't mean adverse weather won't occur as we have seen.These weather events usually last 2 or 3 days and then it is back to summer. This year those 2 or 3 days aligned perfectly with the GSB alpine crossings :-(

The light at the end of the tunnel ;-)  Ian emerges from the Beaumont tunnel on the Clutha Gold Trail

Ian and Wendy take a break in the sunshine at Beaumont Tunnel

A noticeable improvement in mood from the txt check-ins with the sunshine this morning.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 06:30
Subject: SMS with Hamish Pedersen

Text in Lawrence
Just leaving
Cracker day

Date: 20 January 2016 at 06:34
Subject: SMS with Russell Shanks

Hi Dave Russell Shanks Naesby 😀

Date: 20 January 2016 at 06:34
Subject: SMS with Brian Alder

Beaut dawn ride around the Naseby water race.  Looking forward to a beer tonight.  Brian Alder

Date: 20 January 2016 at 07:49
Subject: SMS with Russell Lawry

Cjell and Russell just leaving Roxburgh after very pleasant evening.
Thai takeaways at Doctors Point washed down with a couple of beers followed by damp drag into town.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 08:30
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg

Max, Pascal, Phil, Dean and Scott in Alex having a cooked brekky. Looking forward to the jet

Date: 20 January 2016 at 09:15
Subject: SMS with Hana Black

Back on track at Ranfurly. Sun is shining 😀

Date: 20 January 2016 at 09:53
Subject: SMS with Mike Sherwin

Hey Dave in tekapo you want me to drop the spot tracker off somewhere or post it once home. Thanks for a great event

Date: 20 January 2016 at 10:14
Subject: SMS with Rob Davidson

Ranfurly.. man that took a lot longer than I thought it would. Tough night in the rain. Great day today though😊 Rob D.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 10:28
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach

Ian and wendy are in Lawrence.  What a contrast.  Nice cycle trails in the sun.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 10:43
Subject: SMS with Gareth Rapley

In Naseby.  Back on course since Ranfurly.

Date: 20 January 2016 at 10:50
Subject: SMS with Russell Shanks

Hi Dave Russell Shanks Duntroon 😀

Late night Lawrence

Arguably a big day for most crossing the Old Woman and Old Man Ranges in dense mist. Unfortunately the best riding of the week was hampered by the poor visibility. Most agree the potential is there for a first class ride.

Mother Nature teases with glimpses of blue sky

Oddly enough the evening is quiet and the temperature just right for riding.

Late evening dash after the jet boat ride, could it be Lawrence tonight? Matt, Nathan, Aliesha and Hamish

Downtown Lawrence on a Tuesday night! Hamish, Kim, Ali and Mark

Food seems to be a strong theme in this evenings txt check-ins.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 18:16
Subject: SMS with Hedley Wilton

Limped into Karitane with bung knee thanks to swampy decent.  Pulling the pin, gutted. Have to save body for GODZone

Date: 19 January 2016 at 19:02
Subject: SMS with Craig Shakespeare

Shakies in Alex😀 burgers never tasted so good

Date: 19 January 2016 at 20:26
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach

Ian and wendy are in Cromwell.  That was the most enjoyable trip through the Pisas I've ever done.  Rained to snow farm then Cloudy then beautiful up the  burn to mt pisa

Date: 19 January 2016 at 20:26
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach

Ian and wendy are in Alexandra.  I'm sure that the views were excellent but we couldn't see more than a few metres all day.  Mud, mud glorious mud.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 20:26
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach

Ian and wendy  are now in roxburgh waiting for the biggest Chinese ever.  Really enjoyed the water taxi

Date: 19 January 2016 at 20:30
Subject: SMS with Andy Jones

Andy Jones checking in from Alex. Great ride over from Cromwell despite no vis over the top. Shame as it's a stunning area. That descent to Alex is awesome!

Date: 19 January 2016 at 21:15
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg

Max, Pascal, Phil, Dean and Scott are in Clyde enjoying a bloody good meal after an awesome descent.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 22:38
Subject: SMS with Russell Shanks

Russell Shanks Ranfurley 😁 Sooo totally pleased to be off Swampy without any fractures. Bit of a wet branch situation in there for a few hundred metres that l found very challenging indeed. Resolved by walking most of it 😦

Date: 19 January 2016 at 23:27
Subject: SMS with Mark Wallace

Mark and fleur in lawrence. Some gremlins creeping in.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 23:56
Subject: SMS with Jon Jarratt

In Alex. Enjoyed a long fast decent to Clyde. Jon and Mel


Forecast for the next few days, looking to improve (fingers crossed).

Riders of the Mist

Must have taken fortitude to leave the sunny climes of Cromwell behind and head up (and up) into the mist. Although glimpses of blue sky were had it didn't really break through. Moments of warmth mixed with long spells of damp and cold :-(

Still smiling as the short smooth flat section draws riders closer to the hill

One last look at Cromwell

Nevis Valley Bike Club, wonder how many members they have?

What constitutes 'Adverse weather'? You can still read the sign

Always good to see see more bike tracks than vehicle tracks ;-)

Craig pauses to admire the view?

Stephanie smiling as in the bag is a present?

Attitude goes well with altitude!

Dan and Cjell still clinging to this 'no gears' thing, 1 is enough

Nathan says he is just starting to enjoy the ride

Left! No I think it is right. Hamish and Matt debate the merits of  'which way round the rock'

In case you thought the bike pushing was hard, try pushing a tandem over Grandview. Jon and Mel

Some relief in the txt check-ins as riders reach Alexandra and the knowledge the big mountains are now behind them!

Date: 19 January 2016 at 09:46
Subject: SMS with Dave Cooper

Just got to Lawrence after fixing 2 punctures,  bit dark on it all right now.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 12:08
Subject: SMS with Hedley Wilton

Mosgiel

Date: 19 January 2016 at 12:43
Subject: SMS with Mark Wallace

Mark and fleur in alexandra. Stayed at boundary hut last night. Beaut riding last night. Bit wet this morning. Looking forward to some easier kms

Date: 19 January 2016 at 12:43
Subject: SMS with Russell Shanks

Hi Dave Russell Shanks Karatane 😀

Date: 19 January 2016 at 13:03
Subject: SMS with Rob Davidson

Made Mosgiel.. pressing on.. loved the misty ride over from Lawrence...Rob D.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 14:38
Subject: SMS with Dave Cooper

In Mosgiel, getting a bit lonely, not sure I can catch any of the sleep deprivation crew but theres no one close behind to wait for.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 15:06
Subject: SMS with Guy Harvey

Dave, thanks for organising such a great event, body rejecting food since tekapo has put paid to plans to complete this time but already plotting a return next time with a hard tail and carrying less stuff and weight on back, cheers Guy

Date: 19 January 2016 at 16:53
Subject: SMS with Aliesha Pile

Made it to Alexandra, found plenty of mud! Aliesha

A new day dawns!

A good group of riders spent the night in the Cromwell area after crossing the Pisa Range. Some opted for the comforts of a motel room while others decided to keep on the rough and ready side and camped.

Heavy rain overnight and perhaps a few reluctant riders this morning.

Not sure there is a lot of enthusiasm in this mornings packing Matt?

Rain has stopped and Matt and Hamish are all smiles!

Early txt check-ins and after a comfortable night it is back on the trail for some, and for others it enough for this time round.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 05:56
Subject: SMS with Hedley Wilton

Lawrence after a sleep mid track. Hedley

Date: 19 January 2016 at 06:41
Subject: SMS with Phil Petersen

Phil at BP Cromwell dining in style after a night in the bushes at lowburn :)

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:29
Subject: SMS with Scott Dunavan
Cromwell.

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:39
Subject: SMS with Jason Brown

Hi Dave I am in Cromwell. My knee has flared up so I am out. Thanks for setting the awesome course, Pisa was a fantastic ride. See you in tekapo

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:44
Subject: SMS with Hana Black

Going to call it a day 😕  Anterior tibialis tendons inflamed - I blame Grandview! Will continue by some kind of gentler variant with Scott E. HB

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:51
Subject: SMS with Hana Black

Meeting Scott at tin Goose cafe .

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:54
Subject: SMS with Scott Emmens

Dug a hole way to deep on day one to crawl out of. I am touring back to Tekapo from Cromwell after riding to Bannockburn first! Thanks for putting on such a tough event and all of your support out on the course. Cheers Scott

Date: 19 January 2016 at 07:54
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall

Leaving Cromwell, all good so far

Date: 19 January 2016 at 08:55
Subject: SMS with Jon Jarratt

In Cromwell. Heading on in a few minutes. Jon and Mel

Date: 19 January 2016 at 08:56
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg

Max arrived Cromwell via road after an additional day in Wanaka sourcing a new tent and tending saddle sores.